Archives: Glossary

The European Commission President (currently – Ursula von der Leyen) is entitled to a representation allowance of 1418 EUR per month. This allowance is 911 EUR for the Vice Presidents and 608 EUR for regular Commissioners. Interestingly, at least until 2004 this was called the “Entertainment allowance” but has subsequently been renamed to be more…

‘Reserve lists’ are pools of applicants that have successfully gone through the selection process of EPSO or an EU agency and are now “shortlisted” as potential employees. When the EU institution that organized the selection process has an actual vacancy to fill, a job offer is being sent out to the most appropriate person on…

Resignation refers to the voluntary act of an official or staff member of an EU institution choosing to relinquish their position or office. Resignation can occur for a variety of reasons, including personal circumstances, career changes, or political reasons. The process of resignation typically involves the submission of a formal notice by the individual to…

The term ‘retirement age’ in EU institutions refers to the specific age at which employees of European Union institutions are eligible to retire and begin receiving pension benefits. The standard retirement age for EU officials is set at 66. Staff of EU institutions can retire as early as age 58, but they take a permanent…

A rotation policy within the context of the European Union (EU) institutions refers to the systematic approach to periodically moving staff members, particularly officials, to different posts or departments within the organization. This policy is primarily designed to: The rotation policy aims to enhance the professional development of staff by exposing them to a variety…

The ‘Salary grid’ and ‘Salary scales’ refers to the tables of ‘basic salary’ of Administrators, Assistants, Secretaries and clerks, and Contract Agents in EU institutions as mentioned in Articles 66 and 93 of the Staff Regulations.

‘SNE’ stands for Seconded National Expert (known as END in French). These are civil servants of EU Member States that are “lent” for a time period – usually between 1 and 4 years – to an EU institution. The SNEs usually retain their position at the Member State institution and often are also paid their…

AST/SC is a separate grade reserved for Secretaries and Clerks at the European Commission and other EU institutions. Professionals in the AST/SC grades are usually involved in tasks related to office management and administrative support to managers and staff in AD and AST grades. Placement in an AST/SC grade does not require completion of university…

Senior management in EU institutions refers to the highest level of executives who are responsible for the overall direction and administration of the organization. This group typically includes positions such as Directors-General, Deputy Directors-General, Directors, and Heads of Unit, who collectively make strategic decisions, set policies, and oversee the implementation of the EU’s objectives and…

The Situational Judgment Test (SJT) is a psychological assessment tool used in EPSO competitions to evaluate candidates’ suitability for roles within the EU institutions. It measures the ability to make sound decisions and apply good judgment in work-related situations.

The ‘Solidarity levy’ is a temporary deduction imposed on salaries of all staff of EU institutions. It is applied from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2023. According to Article 66a of the Staff Regulations, it is 7 % for officials in grade AD 15, step 2, and above, and 6% for all other staff.

A Staff Committee in EU institutions is a body representing the interests of the staff within the respective institution. It acts as an intermediary between the staff and the administration, defending staff rights, and contributing to the smooth operation of the institution. The Staff Committee is typically elected by the staff members and is responsible…